Overview

• Adriano Poponessi, 50, choked on mozzarella during his work break at the Sabaudia Sunset Jazz Festival on July 26 and died after resuscitation attempts failed.
• Emergency responders, including a helicopter crew with an anesthesiologist, administered more than an hour of on-site and in-transit CPR before he was pronounced dead at Latina city hospital.
• Organizers immediately canceled the festival concert over a loudspeaker and Restaurant La Spiaggia remained closed in mourning ahead of Poponessi’s funeral at the Church of San Luca on Monday.
• Officials have drawn attention to the rarity of such events after a similar fatal mozzarella choking claimed the life of Simone Necci in March in Anagni.
• Public health observers and local authorities are urging stronger choking prevention measures and wider first-aid awareness at large public events.